We are incredibly lucky to live in a time where we can see more, know more and fix more within the human body than ever before. But with all this medical power must surely come medical responsibility? Dark Ages I completed my physiotherapy training over 30 years ago and back then, in the dark ages, an MRI scan was not an easy thing to get. Before ordering one we had…
The link between chronic pain and depression is one that is fairly obvious, in fact people with chronic lower back pain are 3 – 4 times more likely to suffer from major depression (Sullivan et al. 1992). If your pain means you can’t take part in your normal daily activities, golf, tennis or even moving about your house or the supermarket comfortably, then this brings you down even further (Williamson…
Living in the south of Spain a day typically starts with a café con leche and tostada. But for many migraine sufferers that can feel like a big no no. But to avoid a migraine do you really need to avoid coffee? Only 2 proven triggers Let’s separate myth from scientific fact. Professor of Neuroscience, Peter Goadsby from the NIHR-Wellcome Trust King’s Clinic Research Facility, London says that only these…
While we’re all well aware of the need for rehabilitation and physiotherapy after surgery we don’t think about the preparations we need to make BEFORE surgery. Ask questions – Make sure you understand: what will happen at the hospital, the type of procedure you are having, how long you will be in hospital and who you will be seeing afterwards. the procedure is when you leave hospital and how you…
If you want to get active just run right? We all know how to do it don’t we? But is it that simple? Do we need lessons on how to run? Currently there is a big debate about running technique – the 2 main camps being heel vs toe (or barefoot) What’s the difference? A normal step: Heel contact Outer foot, using the arch Roll onto the toes push off…
For keen athletes, in an ideal world, every time you train you would do as the professionals do and see a physiotherapist to untangle any kinks. However in the real world we rarely have the time and resources to follow every ideal. So here are my 4 top tips and tricks for keeping you going even when you haven’t got a physio at home. 1. A tennis ball – A…
A hip replacement is a fairly common procedure if you have arthritis in your hips. But what if it’s not that simple? The incorrect procedure can lead to long term issues and pain. Taking the time to get the right diagnosis is a critical part of choosing the correct procedure for you. Hip dysplasia is the most common cause of hip arthritis in young women but it is easy to…
Gout – first diagnosed in Ancient Egypt in 2600 BC, isn’t new. But more and more patients are receiving this diagnosis. What is Gout? Gout is a metabolic disorder which causes arthritis (arth = joint and itis = inflammation), usually of the big toe but other joints can be affected. The body stops processing uric acid properly causing it to build up in the body. These sharp uric acid crystal…
So you have had a conversation with your family doctor or other medical specialist and they have suggested surgery as a solution. But how do you go about actually choosing the right surgeon for your procedure, especially in a new country? Here are my top 10 tips for choosing the right surgeon for you: Recommendations – from your friends and family who had a good result as well as other…
Foot pain can literally stop us in our tracks. Bunions, hammer toes, flat feet . . . all can cause discomfort, change our shoe choices and prevent us living the life we want. The complicated foot One quarter of all our bones are in our feet – 26 bones, 33 joints, more than 100 muscles, ligaments and tendons. That is a LOT of activity in a very small space. Precision…